CHA Preparations..... It's Time to Make Jewellery!

Preparations for CHA always brings a last minute rush in the studio to complete things and this year is no different. To say I'm organised (the word I'm trying to live up to for 2014) would be stretching the truth out of all proportion..... it is absolute chaos in my studio at the moment! I have a book deadline to meet, a Designer Showcase to design (and create!) and jewellery to make to wear at CHA. All before Tuesday morning. Let's just say that there's not a lot of sleep programmed into the next three days! But today I'm setting aside the time to make those special pieces of jewellery to wear during the show. Here's what I've been up to this morning: punching, threading, rolling and gluing. I wish I could share the finished piece with you 'cos it's kinda cool but that's a definite "No-No" before the show. What I can tell you though is that it's gold and it's leather. But, hey, you could tell that from the photos, coul......

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Rosary Chain Jewellery Repair

Every girl has a special relationship with her hairdresser and I'm no exception. Mine has been doing my hair for 20+ years and in that time our relationship has become way more than that of  hairdresser/client - each salon visit is like visiting an old friend. Her work wardrobe consists of a lot of black - black shirts and blouses, black pants, black skirts, black dresses - it's mandatory workwear in the salon. But the one place she can add her own style is in her jewellery and accessories. When I visited her this week she told me she had somehow managed to get one of her newest necklaces wrapped around the handle of her shopping trolly and with one almight tug, it broke into about 20 pieces. She was devastated because it was one that many clients had commented on. I told her not to fret and that it was something I could easily fix for her. So she bundled it all into a ziplock bag and I brought it home with me. Luckily, the rosary chain loops in this piece are......

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DIY Metallic Leather and Crystal Christmas Tree Earrings

If you love all the glitter and tinsel of Christmas then these Sparkle Tree Christmas Tree earrings will be right up your alley! This holiday earring design combines metallic gold Realeather with Swarovski Crystals for lots of shimmer and sparkle. Here's what you'll need to make them: Sizzix Leather trim piece, Metallic Gold Approximately 50 3-4mm Swarovski flatback crystals in assorted colours 2 embossed 11mm silver star beads 6 4mm silver bicones 2 3mm silver spacer beads 2 4mm silver daisy spacers 2 6x9mm silver cone bead caps with a flattened top 2 60mm silver head pins 2 silver earring wires Fiebings Leathercraft Adhesive G-S Hypo Cement Embellie Gellie Tool or fine tweezers Gold fine tip permanent marker Chain nose pliers, round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, flush cutters, rotary hand sewing leather punch, scissors Circle punches and a piece of scrap card stock - 10mm (3/8"), 16mm (5/8") and 20mm (3/4") Punch each of the ci......

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